NC State Catcher Alex Sosa Has Entered The Transfer Portal

PGAWolf said:

---

StateFan2001 said:

---

Not the end of the world but I was optimistic Sosa's bat would go to another level next year. Oh and let's not start trashing Sosa just because he is leaving. We all loved him a couple of hours ago.

---

I agree. But I don't think anyone is really trashing him.

---

Let's be real. The guy wants more cash. Cool. Good for him, he may get it.

I doubt Avent is going to put much effort into retaining a guy like Sosa.


And this what these players wanted. The ability to leave whenever they want for whatever reason they want. With that comes criticism.

StateFan2001 said:

---

James Henderson said:

---

We'd heard over the weekend a big-time name was going into the portal. Sosa was the one who I felt for State would be the best possible name. I think he'll end up in a great spot though for sure.

---

Oh he will for sure. LHH catchers with power are in demand.

---

It will be interesting to see where he ends up. I just don't have faith in him improving a ton behind the plate, I'm not bashing him but I don't see it. Like he might not be draftable in the top 10 rounds as a catcher unless he greatly improves next year or someone really thinks they can fix his issues. If you can't frame, you aren't making it far in pro ball.

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

PGAWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

ClePack said:

---

I may be in the minority but I don't view this as a big loss

---

Because it's not. By the time you factor in his framing and defense he was probably a below average catcher. People just see the potential power but he probably cost you just as many defensive runs.

---

There's where I am at with the whole transfer portal in general. There are very few guys who I think would actually hurt if you lost.

It's kind of like at work when you quit a job and you think there is no way this place will survive without you. But then the company just hires someone else and they keep chugging along.

---

It's like when Tommy White left and people freaked out about his production. Two years later we end up with Amak and Pennington who probably don't end up here if White stays.

Id rather have a defensive catcher than one that can hit 15 HR's.

---

Let's not pretend like losing Tommy White, a guy who averaged .356/.420/.705, 25HR, and an OPS of 1.125 over 3 years in his college career wasn't a colossal loss haha.

---

You made the college world series two years later after losing him, I'll take that trade.

---

You understand that the implication you're making is that we made the CWS in '24, because we lost Tommy White in '23. You understand how ludicrous that is, yea?

---

I mean take it for what you want but that wasn't what I was implying. You replaced his production, improved on defense with Amak at a fraction of the price and made the college world series without him.

Hell we didn't even make the tournament with him. Point being, you can replace guys production and still win.

I was looking forward to seeing if he could make a jump next season, I thought he could be a big piece, so losing him is disappointing. It's also true that there were lots of areas where could improve, primarily as a catcher. The hope was that could come this off season with work, but it doesn't mean that those areas didn't need improvement even if he were coming back. I'm sure we'll lose someone else that we were all expecting back before it's all said and done, that is the nature of this particular beast. I'm equally as sure that we'll land some great guys, that probably most people haven't heard of, to fill our spots of need. I won't be getting worked up about it either way, this is the college sports that folks wanted, so let me know who is suiting up once next spring gets here, and I'll cheer like hell for them.

StateFan2001 said:

---

Wufpack17 said:

---

PGAWolf said:

---

StateFan2001 said:

---

Not the end of the world but I was optimistic Sosa's bat would go to another level next year. Oh and let's not start trashing Sosa just because he is leaving. We all loved him a couple of hours ago.

---

I agree. But I don't think anyone is really trashing him.

---

Let's be real. The guy wants more cash. Cool. Good for him, he may get it.

I doubt Avent is going to put much effort into retaining a guy like Sosa.


And this what these players wanted. The ability to leave whenever they want for whatever reason they want. With that comes criticism.

---

Why does he get criticized? Don't get it. We all thought he was great 2 hours ago and ready for a breakout season and now he can't play dead. Silly.

---

Speak for yourself

Looking at his splits some and they are crazier than any of us probably thought.

4 of his 5 HR's & 9 of 20 RBI's in ACC play came in back to back weeks vs Cal and Clemson. Another 7 RBI's in three games against VT and Louisville. Those same games also produced 9 of 12 doubles in ACC play.

In the remaining 18 ACC games he hit one homerun, 3 doubles and 3 RBI's. That is WILD.

Losing Sosa as a leader is more damaging than his stats or pitch framing. Having a 3rd yr guy as a role model to a group of young guys and transfers would have been a huge a asset toward everyone meshing together. I had the opportunity to spend time with the team in the locker room before a game earlier this season and players gravitated toward Sosa. He spent 5+ minutes talking to my 8yr old son and was genuinely into the conversation. Not many guys lead like that.

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

PGAWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

ClePack said:

---

I may be in the minority but I don't view this as a big loss

---

Because it's not. By the time you factor in his framing and defense he was probably a below average catcher. People just see the potential power but he probably cost you just as many defensive runs.

---

There's where I am at with the whole transfer portal in general. There are very few guys who I think would actually hurt if you lost.

It's kind of like at work when you quit a job and you think there is no way this place will survive without you. But then the company just hires someone else and they keep chugging along.

---

It's like when Tommy White left and people freaked out about his production. Two years later we end up with Amak and Pennington who probably don't end up here if White stays.

Id rather have a defensive catcher than one that can hit 15 HR's.

---

Let's not pretend like losing Tommy White, a guy who averaged .356/.420/.705, 25HR, and an OPS of 1.125 over 3 years in his college career wasn't a colossal loss haha.

---

You made the college world series two years later after losing him, I'll take that trade.

---

You understand that the implication you're making is that we made the CWS in '24, because we lost Tommy White in '23. You understand how ludicrous that is, yea?

---

I mean take it for what you want but that wasn't what I was implying. You replaced his production, improved on defense with Amak at a fraction of the price and made the college world series without him.

Hell we didn't even make the tournament with him. Point being, you can replace guys production and still win.

---

"I'll take that trade." By your own responses, one side of the trade is losing Tommy White, the other side is going to the CWS. I'm not sure how you're not implying that those two things are related. What did you think you were saying "the trade" was?

My main point is that pretending like losing a 2nd round draft pick and an unquestionably incredible bat was a colossal loss at the time.

You are indeed correct that we got extremely lucky that not only was a guy like AMak even available and that he was willing to sign for less than he could have elsewhere to be able to stay relatively local, he also had by far his best statistical year of his career. Something tells me that is not something you can bank on with any consistency.

Anyway, let's hope we get lucky with another guy like that haha.

---

Good lord.

We replaced Tommy with a 2nd round draft pick in Gino Groover and also made the tourney the year after not making it with Tommy. We replaced Gino with AMak who was a 2nd team AA and helped lead us to the CWS.

This argument is beyond dumb.

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

PGAWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

ClePack said:

---

I may be in the minority but I don't view this as a big loss

---

Because it's not. By the time you factor in his framing and defense he was probably a below average catcher. People just see the potential power but he probably cost you just as many defensive runs.

---

There's where I am at with the whole transfer portal in general. There are very few guys who I think would actually hurt if you lost.

It's kind of like at work when you quit a job and you think there is no way this place will survive without you. But then the company just hires someone else and they keep chugging along.

---

It's like when Tommy White left and people freaked out about his production. Two years later we end up with Amak and Pennington who probably don't end up here if White stays.

Id rather have a defensive catcher than one that can hit 15 HR's.

---

Let's not pretend like losing Tommy White, a guy who averaged .356/.420/.705, 25HR, and an OPS of 1.125 over 3 years in his college career wasn't a colossal loss haha.

---

You made the college world series two years later after losing him, I'll take that trade.

---

You understand that the implication you're making is that we made the CWS in '24, because we lost Tommy White in '23. You understand how ludicrous that is, yea?

---

I mean take it for what you want but that wasn't what I was implying. You replaced his production, improved on defense with Amak at a fraction of the price and made the college world series without him.

Hell we didn't even make the tournament with him. Point being, you can replace guys production and still win.

---

"I'll take that trade." By your own responses, one side of the trade is losing Tommy White, the other side is going to the CWS. I'm not sure how you're not implying that those two things are related. What did you think you were saying "the trade" was?

My main point is that pretending like losing a 2nd round draft pick and an unquestionably incredible bat was a colossal loss at the time.

You are indeed correct that we got extremely lucky that not only was a guy like AMak even available and that he was willing to sign for less than he could have elsewhere to be able to stay relatively local, he also had by far his best statistical year of his career. Something tells me that is not something you can bank on with any consistency.

Anyway, let's hope we get lucky with another guy like that haha.

---

The "I'll take that trade" is a figure of speech man. I mean you lose a guy that hit 27 homeruns and make the CWS two years later without him is pretty impressive considering you didn't make the damn tournament the year you had him.

Jtilley said:

---

Looking at his splits some and they are crazier than any of us probably thought.

4 of his 5 HR's & 9 of 20 RBI's in ACC play came in back to back weeks vs Cal and Clemson. Another 7 RBI's in three games against VT and Louisville. Those same games also produced 9 of 12 doubles in ACC play.

In the remaining 18 ACC games he hit one homerun, 3 doubles and 3 RBI's. That is WILD.

---

Looking at this a little bit more, if you include the other lone HR that also is an RBI, he had TWO!!!! RBI's in the other 17 ACC games.

Think about that for a second, your 5th hole hitter with a guy batting .365/.462 OBP & .327/.391 OBP hitting 2/3 spots in front of him has two RBI's in 17 games. I don't know how that is even possible to not even luck into more RBI's than that.

10 games of very good production in confrence and 17 others with just nothing.

That kind of sums up Alex Sosas' time at State for me. Dude would go on a random tear and then plummet. When he was on he was very very good but when he was off, he was way off. Hopefully he can improve and be a little bit more consistent next year.

CLTWolf said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

PGAWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

ClePack said:

---

I may be in the minority but I don't view this as a big loss

---

Because it's not. By the time you factor in his framing and defense he was probably a below average catcher. People just see the potential power but he probably cost you just as many defensive runs.

---

There's where I am at with the whole transfer portal in general. There are very few guys who I think would actually hurt if you lost.

It's kind of like at work when you quit a job and you think there is no way this place will survive without you. But then the company just hires someone else and they keep chugging along.

---

It's like when Tommy White left and people freaked out about his production. Two years later we end up with Amak and Pennington who probably don't end up here if White stays.

Id rather have a defensive catcher than one that can hit 15 HR's.

---

Let's not pretend like losing Tommy White, a guy who averaged .356/.420/.705, 25HR, and an OPS of 1.125 over 3 years in his college career wasn't a colossal loss haha.

---

You made the college world series two years later after losing him, I'll take that trade.

---

You understand that the implication you're making is that we made the CWS in '24, because we lost Tommy White in '23. You understand how ludicrous that is, yea?

---

I mean take it for what you want but that wasn't what I was implying. You replaced his production, improved on defense with Amak at a fraction of the price and made the college world series without him.

Hell we didn't even make the tournament with him. Point being, you can replace guys production and still win.

---

"I'll take that trade." By your own responses, one side of the trade is losing Tommy White, the other side is going to the CWS. I'm not sure how you're not implying that those two things are related. What did you think you were saying "the trade" was?

My main point is that pretending like losing a 2nd round draft pick and an unquestionably incredible bat was a colossal loss at the time.

You are indeed correct that we got extremely lucky that not only was a guy like AMak even available and that he was willing to sign for less than he could have elsewhere to be able to stay relatively local, he also had by far his best statistical year of his career. Something tells me that is not something you can bank on with any consistency.

Anyway, let's hope we get lucky with another guy like that haha.

---

Good lord.

We replaced Tommy with a 2nd round draft pick in Gino Groover and also made the tourney the year after not making it with Tommy. We replaced Gino with AMak who was a 2nd team AA and helped lead us to the CWS.

This argument is beyond dumb.

---

Literally the only point I was making was that losing Tommy White was really bad, and to pretend like it wasn't is ridiculous. It's crazy to me that that is considered a stupid or controversial opinion. Anyway, I'll let it go.

TheOllefan said:

---

CLTWolf said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

TheOllefan said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

PGAWolf said:

---

Jtilley said:

---

ClePack said:

---

I may be in the minority but I don't view this as a big loss

---

Because it's not. By the time you factor in his framing and defense he was probably a below average catcher. People just see the potential power but he probably cost you just as many defensive runs.

---

There's where I am at with the whole transfer portal in general. There are very few guys who I think would actually hurt if you lost.

It's kind of like at work when you quit a job and you think there is no way this place will survive without you. But then the company just hires someone else and they keep chugging along.

---

It's like when Tommy White left and people freaked out about his production. Two years later we end up with Amak and Pennington who probably don't end up here if White stays.

Id rather have a defensive catcher than one that can hit 15 HR's.

---

Let's not pretend like losing Tommy White, a guy who averaged .356/.420/.705, 25HR, and an OPS of 1.125 over 3 years in his college career wasn't a colossal loss haha.

---

You made the college world series two years later after losing him, I'll take that trade.

---

You understand that the implication you're making is that we made the CWS in '24, because we lost Tommy White in '23. You understand how ludicrous that is, yea?

---

I mean take it for what you want but that wasn't what I was implying. You replaced his production, improved on defense with Amak at a fraction of the price and made the college world series without him.

Hell we didn't even make the tournament with him. Point being, you can replace guys production and still win.

---

"I'll take that trade." By your own responses, one side of the trade is losing Tommy White, the other side is going to the CWS. I'm not sure how you're not implying that those two things are related. What did you think you were saying "the trade" was?

My main point is that pretending like losing a 2nd round draft pick and an unquestionably incredible bat was a colossal loss at the time.

You are indeed correct that we got extremely lucky that not only was a guy like AMak even available and that he was willing to sign for less than he could have elsewhere to be able to stay relatively local, he also had by far his best statistical year of his career. Something tells me that is not something you can bank on with any consistency.

Anyway, let's hope we get lucky with another guy like that haha.

---

Good lord.

We replaced Tommy with a 2nd round draft pick in Gino Groover and also made the tourney the year after not making it with Tommy. We replaced Gino with AMak who was a 2nd team AA and helped lead us to the CWS.

This argument is beyond dumb.

---

Literally the only point I was making was that losing Tommy White was really bad, and to pretend like it wasn't is ridiculous. It's crazy to me that that is considered a stupid or controversial opinion. Anyway, I'll let it go.

---

Yeah, letting it go is probably a good idea

It was such a colossal loss that we replaced him with a 2nd round draft pick and a trip to the NCAA tourney. The next year we replaced that 2nd round draft pick with an All American and a trip to the CWS.

Sucks to see Alex go but he's no Tommy White and we recovered just fine from losing a talent like Tommy White previously. I feel confident Chris Hart can find an adequate replacement for Alex. Hell, Chris is one of the main reasons (if not the main) that we've had such a long line of stud catchers roll through Raleigh.

Like I already said, this argument is beyond dumb.